To be accepted into the WSHI program, students must be nominated by science coordinators or guidance counselors at Western Pennsylvania high schools. These coordinators/counselors receive WSHI information each September and nominate high school juniors with a high scholastic standing in both science and the humanities (minimum B average). Most importantly, students must have a sincere interest in science.

Please note that with this 2007-2008 lecture series and going forward, WSHI is open to juniors only.

Approximately 200 area schools receive WSHI information and about 90 respond with nominations. The school administration provides information about each nominated student, including overall grade average to date. Nominated students must submit an application form on which they write a brief essay about their interest in science and why they want to participate in WSHI. The application form must also contain a recommendation from each student's science teacher or guidance counselor.

On the reverse side of the application form is a release of liability and assumption of all risks which must be signed by both the student and their parent or guardian.

Every year, the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute receives more applications than it can accept, and interested students must be turned away. For that reason, students accepted into the Institute are expected to attend at least seven lectures OR six lectures and one trip to Penn State/Mount Nittany Medical Center and actively participate in the group exercises and projects. Only students who fulfill these requirements will receive a WSHI Certificate of Completion.